History of Womens Rights in Canada

Seneca Falls Convection

Mar 21, 1848

The first womans rights convection was held ion seneca falls, New York. 68 women and 32 men signed a Declaration, which sets the agenda for the womens rights movent. These men and women set 12 resolutions calling for equal treatment for men and women under the law.

The Married Womens Property Act

Mar 19, 1900

This act enables women to own their own property which is seperate from her husbands, and she is able to control her wages and profits. Before this act, all of womens would legally become her husbands.

Criminal Code

Mar 21, 1909

The criminal law was changed, and now the abduction of any women is illegal. Before this law, abduction of any women over 16 was allowed, exccept if she was heiress.

Military Voter's Act

Mar 19, 1917

Everyone who is in, or has been honorably discharged from the military, may it be male or female, in any position, has the right to vote. They could have been apart of the military in anyway and now they are given the ability to vote at a general election.

Federal Divorce Law

Mar 19, 1925

Women are able to divorce a man, and it is held the same way it would be for a man. Before this, only men could file for a divorce and the women would have no say in the matter.

The Persons Case

Mar 19, 1928

Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby, "The Famous Five" had made women defined as "persons". Before this, only males were considered "persons" and the law only applied to them.

Jury Duty

Mar 21, 1952

Now women are allowed to surve on juries in Manitoba. For New Brusinwick, this did not happen untill 1954, and for women in P.E.I, it did not happen until 1966. Before this was allowed, no women was permitted to be on a jury.

The Female Employees Equal Pay Act

Mar 19, 1956

This act says that men and women should get the same amount of pay for equal work. Equal work, equal pay. It makes discrimination of pay based on gender illigal.

Royal Commission on the Status of Women

Mar 19, 1967

Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson froms the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. This commission was to ensure equality between men and women in all areas of society.

Rape Law

Mar 20, 1983

Before this, rape was only considered offenceive outside of a marrage, and a husband was not going to be charged with raping his wife. Now women can charge her husnand with sexual assult and aggravated sexual assault if the crime included a beating.